Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association

05/26/2026

It was a productive day in Jonesboro! ArVMA members toured the construction site at ASU Jonesboro followed by a Legislative Meet & Greet at 501 Steakhouse.

05/22/2026

Thanks to District I members who braved the wet weather to gather in NWA to hear updates from Legislative Liaison, Dr. Rob Conner, and the DBH Management team.

05/16/2026

Congrats to the LSU SVM Class of 2026! ArVMA President, Dr. Sarah Shedenhelm, proudly served on the stage party.
In her commencement address, she shared: “The relationship between LSU and the ArVMA is one we deeply value. For generations, LSU has trained outstanding veterinarians who have gone on to serve communities throughout Arkansas and across the South. Your graduates have become practice owners, industry leaders, educators, public servants, and advocates for animal health and welfare. We are proud of that partnership, and we are proud of you.” Geaux Tigers!

05/15/2026

This Friday is a great day to take your family to the Little Rock Zoo.

Join us for Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 15!

Wildlife helps keep ecosystems healthy, from pollinating plants to maintaining balance in nature. Yet many species are at risk due to habitat loss, pollution, and illegal wildlife trade. You can help by planting native plants, reducing plastic use, and choosing sustainable products.

Visit the Zoo to learn how these small actions add up to big impacts for wildlife around the world, and how you can be part of the solution: https://www.littlerockzoo.com/zoo-blog/blog-posts/2025/11/endangered-species-day/

📸Cred: Keeper Karen C.

05/14/2026

ArVMA member, Dr. Heath Stump, has a way with bulldogs, especially Jerry the Bulldog. Just ask Arkansas Tech University.

One of the most important people in Jerry's life is Dr. Heath Stump of Russellville Animal Clinic. He ensures that Jerry is feeling great and at his very best.

As you can see, Dr. Stump and Jerry IV are already buddies.

Dr. Stump has been an essential member of Team Jerry for 13 years, and we are so grateful for his expertise and his love of both Jerry and Arkansas Tech.

05/12/2026

Raw pet food recall alert‼️

⚠️ Albright’s Raw Pet Food Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balanced voluntarily recalled due to potential Salmonella Contamination ⚠️

The recalled Albright Raw Pet Food Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balance were distributed directly to consumers nationwide and to a small number of select retailers in

- Massachusetts
- California
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Wisconsin
- New York

Recalled foods: Albright Raw Pet Food Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balance
Size: Frozen 1 lb. bricks in clear vacuum packaging which are generally distributed in 30 lbs cases.

Lot number: C001730
UPC: 20855404008367
Expiration Date: 04/28/27

While some sales were made in physical stores, others were direct online sales. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the recalled products.

What to Do?

Consumers who purchased the recalled products should stop feeding them immediately.

Consumers who have purchased this product are urged to return it to the place of purchase or destroy the food in a way that children, pets, and wildlife cannot access.

Do not sell or donate the recalled products. Do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Unused portions may be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Hands and any surfaces that came into contact with the product should be washed thoroughly.

Pet owners whose dogs have eaten the recalled biscuits and are showing signs of illness should contact their veterinarian.

Read more about this recall here
🔗 https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls/albrights-raw-pet-food-recalls-chicken-recipe-for-dogs-due-to-potential-salmonella-contamination/

FDA article
🔗 https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/albrights-raw-pet-food-announces-voluntary-recall-select-chicken-recipe-dogs-complete-and-balanced-1 -announcement

Sign up here to get recall alerts straight to your inbox
🔗 https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall-alerts/

05/07/2026

Read the May edition of the ArVMA newsletter: https://createsend.com/t/r-F0682CDAA245B82C2540EF23F30FEDED

05/06/2026

Mobile veterinary care now available in Northeast Arkansas.

Our A-State College of Veterinary Medicine large animal ambulatory service, providing mobile, on-site veterinary care, is up and running! Please contact us at 870-680-8760 to schedule an appointment for your horse, donkey, goat, sheep, pig, or cattle! Please note that at this time, we do not provide emergency services after hours.

This service is staffed by two board-certified large animal clinicians and A-State faculty members, Dr. Scott Reiners (Equine Surgery; Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation) and Dr. Trey Neyland (Large Animal Internal Medicine).

We are so excited to be able to offer veterinary services to Northeast Arkansas!

12/17/2025

Dear ArVMA Members,

I want to take a moment to simply say thank you to Maggie Milligan for 23 years of faithful service to the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association.

For over two decades, Maggie has been the steady hand and familiar voice behind ArVMA. She has poured her heart into this association and into the veterinarians it serves, often working behind the scenes to make sure things were done right and done well. Her dedication, knowledge, and love for this profession have left a mark on every part of our organization.

Many of us may not fully realize just how much she has carried on her shoulders over the years, but ArVMA is stronger today because of her commitment and care. We are deeply thankful for the countless hours, the steady leadership, and the genuine pride she has taken in serving Arkansas veterinarians.

On behalf of the Board and the entire membership, thank you, Maggie, for your years of service, your loyalty to this association, and the legacy you leave behind. You will always be part of the ArVMA family!

Maggie’s last day as Executive Director of Arkansas VMA will be this Friday, December 19th. She will then serve as the ArVMA Winter Meeting Coordinator and see through the 2026 winter meeting, which is February 6-8 in Hot Springs. We hope to see everyone there!

With sincere appreciation,

Brennan Pitard, DVM
President
Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association

12/16/2025

The Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association (ArVMA) Board of Directors has selected Brittny Daubenheyer as the association's next Executive Director, effective January 5, 2026.
In this pivotal role, Daubenheyer will serve as the chief administrator, responsible for overseeing daily operations, financial management, and comprehensive membership engagement. She will also be instrumental in advancing ArVMA's mission by leading legislative and advocacy efforts, developing continuing education programming, and driving the implementation of the association’s strategic goals.
Daubenheyer brings a wealth of executive leadership and strategic planning expertise to the ArVMA, drawn from her tenure in higher education and non-profit association management. Since 2023, she has served as Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Arkansas Tech University, supervising the departments of undergraduate admissions, financial aid, and marketing and communications. She was one of twelve individuals tasked with drafting the new University strategic plan (2025) and co-chaired the university recruitment and retention committee, directly contributing to record-high institutional student retention rates in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. Under Daubenheyer’s leadership, ATU also saw a 5 percent increase in first-time undergraduate and transfer enrollment from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025.
From 2018-2023, Daubenheyer served as Executive Director for the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE), where she drove an 83 percent surge in new members and a 33 percent rise in member retention in a single year. Her earlier professional roles include serving as as Assistant to the President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Arkansas Tech University, as Associate Director of Recruitment at the University of Central Arkansas, and as Associate Director of High School Programs for the Sullivan University System.
Daubenheyer is an alumna of Arkansas Tech University, where she earned a Master of Liberal Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She resides in Russellville with her husband, Brian, and their daughter, Claire.